Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, a part of the female reproductive system. As it tends to remain undetected or is misdiagnosed until it spreads to the pelvis and abdomen, it is extremely difficult to treat. However, successful treatment is possible if the cancer is detected at an early stage. The following article contains an overview of ovarian cancer, detailing its signs, causes, diagnosis methods, and treatments.

1. Symptoms

In the early stages, there are hardly any signs or symptoms that are likely to raise an alarm, but in the more advanced stages, symptoms could include the following:

• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Feeling full fast
• Weight loss
• A dull discomfort in the pelvic region
• Changes in bowel pattern, including constipation
• Frequent need to urinate

In case one is experiencing any of these symptoms or has a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, they should see a doctor immediately.

2. Causes

The exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known yet, but it usually begins when a cell develops mutations in its DNA. These mutations command the cells to grow and spread quickly, leading to a tumor. The abnormal cells continue to live and spread but do not form healthy tissue, while the healthy cells die. They could also break off from the place of origin and spread to nearby tissues and to other parts of the body.

• Age plays a crucial role in this type of cancer. It is usually found in women over 63 years of age.
• A family history of such cancers can put one at high risk. Thus, regular genetic screening is advisable.
• Women who have children before the age of 35 are at a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Also, those undergoing fertility treatment might have a higher chance of developing it.
• Breast cancer patients are at a high risk of developing ovarian cancer due to the changes in the BRCA gene.
• Obesity is also a major reason for women to get this cancer. Those with a BMI of over 30 are at high risk.
• Undergoing hormone treatment therapy after menopause could also increase the chances of ovarian cancer.

3. Diagnosis

There are various by which ovarian cancer can be detected. The following ways are a brief overview of the same.

• A pelvic examination helps find irregularities, but if the tumor is small, then it’s difficult to detect and other tests may be required.
• Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is an imaging test that uses sound waves to detect tumors in the reproductive organs.
• A pelvic and abdomen CT scan is an X-ray that gives detailed cross-sectional images of the reproductive system. It helps detect large tumors. It also helps find enlarged lymph nodes and extent to which cancer has spread.
• An MRI scan uses strong magnets to create cross-sectional images of the body. A contrast material called gadolinium is injected into a vein to get clearer images.
• Blood tests are used to check for high levels of a marker called CA-125.
• In a laparoscopy, a small, thin tube with a camera is inserted to see the ovaries and take a tissue sample for biopsy.

Treatment
In order to treat ovarian cancer, an overview of the case in its entirety, i.e., the type, stage, and grade of cancer, along with the overall condition of the patient themselves, is crucial to deciding appropriate treatment methods.

• In surgical methods, a hysterectomy is done to remove one or both ovaries and the affected lymph nodes.
• In chemotherapy, medications are used to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy targets specific cells that promote cancer growth and only attacks those, unlike in chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells.